11.07.2019

The pharmaceutical industry sees the Finnish EU Presidency as an opportunity to promote the European competitiveness

The pharmaceutical industry sees the Finnish EU Presidency as an opportunity to promote the European competitiveness. The agenda for the forthcoming EU Commission will include important issues related to research, innovations and the industrial policy.

The pharmaceutical industry sees the Finnish EU Presidency as an opportunity to promote the European competitiveness. The agenda for the forthcoming EU Commission will include important issues related to research, innovations and the industrial policy. These matters are seen as important in Finland.

”The Finnish EU Presidency programme and the programme of Prime Minister Rinne’s Government have increased the interest of the international pharmaceutical industry in Finland. Especially the issues related to digitalization, data utilization and the European competitiveness are important and relevant for Finland’s competitiveness”, says Ms Sanna Lauslahti, Managing Director of Pharma Industry Finland (PIF).

”We want to contribute to attracting international investments to Finland and to increase the attractiveness of the Finnish research ecosystem”, Ms Lauslahti continues.

Pharma Industry Finland hosted on 8 July in Helsinki the visit of the European directors of international pharmaceutical companies to discuss these topics. The delegation consisted of the key personnel of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations EFPIA as well.

The Health Sector Growth Strategy is regarded in Europe as an excellent example of interministerial cooperation. The discussions considered whether this model could also be used in European decision-making. The health sector and especially Smart Health are one of the strategically important industries in which the Commission wants to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness.

Smart Health means a combination of pharmaceutical and health technologies, digitalization and mobile technologies. Its aim is to change the processes, practices or ways in which the technologies are utilized in healthcare.

”Finland is seen as a forerunner in digitalization and the data economy in many respects, and this is strongly reflected in the Finnish Presidency programme. This is of great importance for the agenda of the next mandate of the EU decision-making organs, emphasizes Ms Elizabeth Kuiper, Executive Director of Public Affairs of EFPIA.